The Pitkävuori ski jump is a historic wooden ski-jumping structure located in Kaipola, Finland. Though originally built for winter sports, it achieved international recognition through its association with Audi and the brand’s influential quattro advertising campaigns. The site became a symbol of Audi’s approach to demonstrating engineering capability through visually striking, real-world stunts.
HISTORY
Pitkävuori served as a regional ski-jumping venue in Finland throughout the latter half of the 20th century. Its defining feature is its steep, snow-covered inrun, which rises approximately 47 meters and descends at a gradient of about 80 percent, or 37.5 degrees. The jump was active for sporting use until 1994, after which it was closed due to age, maintenance needs, and declining local demand.
Despite its closure, the structure remained standing and later entered popular culture due to its role in automotive advertising. Its steep gradient and dramatic profile made it an ideal setting for Audi’s quattro demonstrations, which would go on to define the jump’s global public identity.
1986 AUDI COMMERCIAL
Pitkävuori first became widely known outside Finland through the 1986 Audi ski jump commercial. Created by Hamilton & Partners, the advertisement featured rally driver Harald Demuth driving an Audi 100 CS quattro up the ski jump’s snow-covered inrun. The ascent, performed without external assistance, highlighted the traction and stability of Audi’s permanent all-wheel-drive system.
The commercial became one of the earliest iconic demonstrations of “Vorsprung durch Technik,” showcasing Audi’s engineering philosophy through simple but daring visual execution. Its success elevated Pitkävuori from a local sporting facility to a recognizable landmark among automotive enthusiasts and advertisers.
2005 AUDI COMMERCIAL
In 2005, Audi returned to the site to mark the 25th anniversary of the quattro system with a new recreation of the original stunt. The campaign, produced by the agency Philipp und Keuntje, once again used Pitkävuori’s original timber-framed ramp. Having been closed for more than a decade, the jump required extensive repairs before filming could begin.
Audi engineer Uwe Bleck drove a standard-production A6 4.2 quattro up the 47-meter incline, repeating the climb eleven times during filming. Minor technical adaptations—such as rally-style studded tires and a non-powered roll-back safety device—were employed to ensure safe operation on the steep, icy surface. The resulting commercial, “Ski Jump 2005,” aired across mainland Europe beginning on 5 March 2005.
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Although no longer active as a ski-sport facility, Pitkävuori remains a cultural touchpoint for Audi fans and automotive historians. The site represents one of the most enduring images associated with quattro technology and has been referenced, recreated, and parodied in subsequent advertising campaigns and media.
The ski jump’s role in the 1986 and 2005 commercials has made it a symbolic location tied to Audi’s heritage of technical demonstration, engineering confidence, and visually minimalist storytelling. For enthusiasts of the brand, Pitkävuori is often regarded as an unofficial landmark within the larger narrative of quattro’s development and public identity.
LEGACY
Today, Pitkävuori stands as a physical reminder of both Finland’s ski-jumping tradition and Audi’s advertising innovation. While its athletic use has ceased, its presence in Audi’s marketing history ensures continued interest from fans, historians, and visitors seeking to connect with one of the most memorable stunts in automotive culture.
PHOTO GALLERY
